1. "The relocation of settlements... will not be included in the territory of the State of Israel in the framework of any possible future permanent agreement."

2. "Israel will strengthen its control over those same areas in the Land of Israel which will constitute an inseparable part of the State of Israel in any future agreement."

3. "Israel will greatly accelerate the construction of the security fence."

Since then, Sharon has indeed taken major political steps toward the evacuation of the Jewish presence in Gaza. But he has done nothing to strengthen Israel's control over parts of Judea and Samaria that Israel wants to permanently retain.

Sharon asked the U.S. for agreement to Israeli annexation of Ma'ale Adumim and other Jerusalem suburbs, Gush Etzion, western Samaria. That request was rejected. So was the request to at least allow Israeli construction and expansion of those areas. Then Israel asked for a U.S. nod to construction of the security fence to include those locations, yet again to no avail.

Pathetically, what Israel is now agreeing to and proclaiming to be a major achievement is a letter from President Bush stating that Israel need not withdraw exactly to the '67 borders. Of course, the Geneva Accord, under which Israel would retain 1.5 percent of Judea and Samaria (in exchange for an equivalent amount of territory in the Negev) would satisfy this criteria. So would a 100 percent withdrawal from Judea and Samaria coupled with Israeli retention of large Jerusalem neighborhoods like Ramat Eshkol, Ramot. French Hill and Gilo, where more than 100,000 Jews live. While those places were captured in 1967, there is no doubt about their status, and Israel have and continues to develop in those areas without anyone objecting.

Furthermore, Presidents Johnson, Reagan and Clinton have all already explicitly agreed that a withdrawal to the 1967 borders is not warranted.

As for construction of the security fence, as a result of international pressure it has slowed, not accelerated. The fence is now slated to run close to the 1967 border, and is not expected to encompass either Ariel or Gush Etzion, further weakening, rather than "strengthening" Israel's control of even the largest settlement blocs.